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Materials and Technologies for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

A topical collection in Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This collection belongs to the section "Energy Materials".

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Editors

Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l'Energia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 98126 Messina, Italy
Interests: materials for energy, electrochemistry, systems, fuel cells, electrolysis, photo-electrochemical cells, batteries, physico-chemical characterisation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
CNR-ITAE Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “N. Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98126 Messina, Italy
Interests: polymer electrolyte fuel cells; direct alcohol fuel cells; water electrolysis; metal–air batteries; dye-sensitized solar cells; photo-electrolysis; carbon dioxide electro-reduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
CNR—ITAE, Istituto di Tecnologie Avanzate per l’Energia “Nicola Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse n. 5, 98126 S. Lucia-Messina, Italy
Interests: polymers, membranes, nano carbon materials, metal oxides and hybrid materials, fuel cells, supercapacitors, electrochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

After publishing the Special Issue “Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: From Materials to Systems”, we would like to announce the publication of a collection on “Materials and Technologies for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells”. The objective is to highlight new results and advances in materials science, processing, characterization, technology development and system testing of various types of fuel cells and hydrogen processes. As is well known, the diffusion of efficient and sustainable energy conversion technologies and zero-emission vehicles on a wide scale is largely required to address urgent environmental issues such as polluting emissions, global warming and climate change. Fuel cells can provide an effective solution and hydrogen together with electricity can become the main energy vectors in the future energy system, covering most of the energy chain. These technologies comply with the requirement of a low carbon economy by 2050, where both hydrogen and a highly efficient distributed power generation using fuel cells, providing both electrical power and heat, can significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Original papers are solicited on all types of fuel cells and hydrogen production technologies. Recent developments in advanced materials, processes, characterization, stack designs, and systems are of particular interest together with contributions addressing emerging fields and new applications of these technologies. Articles and reviews dealing with fuel cells and hydrogen for different market applications, including zero-emission vehicles, grid-balancing service, power-to-gas, portable power systems, combined heat and power (CHP) production, consumer devices and distributed energy systems are very welcome.

Dr. Antonino Salvatore Aricò
Dr. Vincenzo Baglio
Dr. Francesco Lufrano
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (5 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2021, 2020, 2019

13 pages, 3140 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study of CCM and CCS Membrane Electrode Assemblies for High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with a CsH5(PO4)2-Doped Polybenzimidazole Membrane
by Yizhe Li, Zhiyong Fu, Yifan Li and Guichen Zhang
Materials 2023, 16(11), 3925; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16113925 - 24 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are critical components in influencing the electrochemical performance of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs). MEA manufacturing processes are mainly divided into the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) and the catalyst-coated substrate (CCS) methods. For conventional HT-PEMFCs based on phosphoric [...] Read more.
Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are critical components in influencing the electrochemical performance of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs). MEA manufacturing processes are mainly divided into the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) and the catalyst-coated substrate (CCS) methods. For conventional HT-PEMFCs based on phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes, the wetting surface and extreme swelling of the PA-doped PBI membranes make the CCM method difficult to apply to the fabrication of MEAs. In this study, by taking advantage of the dry surface and low swelling of a CsH5(PO4)2-doped PBI membrane, an MEA fabricated by the CCM method was compared with an MEA made by the CCS method. Under each temperature condition, the peak power density of the CCM-MEA was higher than that of the CCS-MEA. Furthermore, under humidified gas conditions, an enhancement in the peak power densities was observed for both MEAs, which was attributed to the increase in the conductivity of the electrolyte membrane. The CCM-MEA exhibited a peak power density of 647 mW cm−2 at 200 °C, which was ~16% higher than that of the CCS-MEA. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results showed that the CCM-MEA had lower ohmic resistance, which implied that it had better contact between the membrane and catalyst layer. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2020, 2019

13 pages, 1751 KiB  
Article
Waste Aluminum Application as Energy Valorization for Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Mobile Low Power Machines Applications
by Xavier Salueña-Berna, Marc Marín-Genescà, Lluís Massagués Vidal and José M. Dagà-Monmany
Materials 2021, 14(23), 7323; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14237323 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1890
Abstract
This article proposes a new model of power supply for mobile low power machines applications, between 10 W and 30 W, such as radio-controlled (RC) electric cars. This power supply is based on general hydrogen from residual aluminum and water with NaOH, so [...] Read more.
This article proposes a new model of power supply for mobile low power machines applications, between 10 W and 30 W, such as radio-controlled (RC) electric cars. This power supply is based on general hydrogen from residual aluminum and water with NaOH, so it is proposed energy valorization of aluminum waste. In the present research, a theoretical model allows us to predict the requested aluminum surface and the required flow of hydrogen has been developed, also considering, in addition to the geometry and purity of the material, two key variables as the temperature and the molarity of the alkaline solution used in the hydrogen production process. Focusing on hydrogen production, isopropyl alcohol plays a key role in the reactor’s fuel cell vehicle as it filters out NaOH particles and maintains a constant flow of hydrogen for the operation of the machine, keeping the reactor temperature controlled. Finally, a comparison of the theoretical and experimental data has been used to validate the developed model using aluminum sheets from ring cans to generate hydrogen, which will be used as a source of hydrogen in a power fuel cell of an RC car. Finally, the manuscript shows the parts of the vehicle’s powertrain, its behavior, and mode of operation. Full article
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11 pages, 2918 KiB  
Article
Flexible Supercapacitors Based on Graphene/Boron Nitride Nanosheets Electrodes and PVA/PEI Gel Electrolytes
by Chan Wang, Kuan Hu, Ying Liu, Ming-Rong Zhang, Zhiwei Wang and Zhou Li
Materials 2021, 14(8), 1955; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14081955 - 14 Apr 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3475
Abstract
All-solid-state supercapacitors have gained increasing attention as wearable energy storage devices, partially due to their flexible, safe, and lightweight natures. However, their electrochemical performances are largely hampered by the low flexibility and durability of current polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based electrolytes. Herein, a novel [...] Read more.
All-solid-state supercapacitors have gained increasing attention as wearable energy storage devices, partially due to their flexible, safe, and lightweight natures. However, their electrochemical performances are largely hampered by the low flexibility and durability of current polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based electrolytes. Herein, a novel polyvinyl alcohol-polyethyleneimine (PVA-PEI) based, conductive and elastic hydrogel was devised as an all-in-one electrolyte platform for wearable supercapacitor (WSC). For proof-of-concept, we assembled all-solid-state supercapacitors based on boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) intercalated graphene electrodes and PVA-PEI based gel electrolyte. Furthermore, by varying the electrolyte ions, we observed synergistic effects between the hydrogel and the electrode materials when KOH was used as electrolyte ions, as the Graphene/BNNS@PVA-PEI-KOH WSCs exhibited a significantly improved areal capacitance of 0.35 F/cm2 and a smaller ESR of 6.02 ohm/cm2. Moreover, due to the high flexibility and durability of the PVA-PEI hydrogel electrolyte, the developed WSCs behave excellent flexibility and cycling stability under different bending states and after 5000 cycles. Therefore, the conductive, yet elastic, PVA-PEI hydrogel represents an attractive electrolyte platform for WSC, and the Graphene/BNNS@PVA-PEI-KOH WSCs shows broad potentials in powering wearable electronic devices. Full article
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2020

Jump to: 2023, 2021, 2019

13 pages, 4803 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Glass-Ceramic Sealant for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at Operating Conditions by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
by Roberto Spotorno, Marlena Ostrowska, Simona Delsante, Ulf Dahlmann and Paolo Piccardo
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4702; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13214702 - 22 Oct 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2014
Abstract
A commercially available glass-ceramic composition is applied on a ferritic stainless steel (FSS) substrate reproducing a type of interface present in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) stacks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to study the electrical response of the assembly in the [...] Read more.
A commercially available glass-ceramic composition is applied on a ferritic stainless steel (FSS) substrate reproducing a type of interface present in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) stacks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to study the electrical response of the assembly in the temperature range of 380–780 °C and during aging for 250 h at 780 °C. Post-experiment analyses, performed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), and along cross-sections by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, highlight the microstructural changes promoted by aging conditions over time. In particular, progressive crystallization of the glass-ceramic, high temperature corrosion of the substrate and diffusion of Fe and Cr ions from the FSS substrate into the sealant influence the electrical response of the system under investigation. The electrical measurements show an increase in conductivity to 5 × 10−6 S∙cm−1, more than one order of magnitude below the maximum recommended value. Full article
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2019

Jump to: 2023, 2021, 2020

64 pages, 13606 KiB  
Review
Alanates, a Comprehensive Review
by Karina Suárez-Alcántara, Juan Rogelio Tena-Garcia and Ricardo Guerrero-Ortiz
Materials 2019, 12(17), 2724; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma12172724 - 25 Aug 2019
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4105
Abstract
Hydrogen storage is widely recognized as one of the biggest not solved problem within hydrogen technologies. The slow development of the materials and systems for hydrogen storage has resulted in a slow spread of hydrogen applications. There are many families of materials that [...] Read more.
Hydrogen storage is widely recognized as one of the biggest not solved problem within hydrogen technologies. The slow development of the materials and systems for hydrogen storage has resulted in a slow spread of hydrogen applications. There are many families of materials that can store hydrogen; among them, the alanate family can be of interest. Basic research papers and reviews have been focused on alanates of group 1 and 2. However, there are many alanates of transition metals, main group, and lanthanides that deserve attention in a review. This work is a comprehensive compilation of all known alanates. The approaches towards tuning the kinetics and thermodynamics of alanates are also covered in this review. These approaches are the formation of reactive composites, double cation alanates, or anion substitution. The crystallographic and X-ray diffraction characteristics of each alanate are presented along with this review. In the final sections, a discussion of the infrared, Raman, and thermodynamics was included. Full article
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